AI Summary
Hajj season for 1445 AH starts today, June 4, coinciding with the Day of Tarwiyah (Dhul Hijjah 8). On this day, pilgrim travel to Mina to offer the five daily prayers and spend the night.
The General Directorate of Passports’ statistics showed the arrival of 1.4 million pilgrims for Hajj this year, via the Kingdom’s air, land and sea ports.
Data showed that 1.83 million pilgrims—domestic and international—arrived for Hajj in 2024.
The following table shows the pilgrim numbers since 1428 AH:
|
Number of Pilgrims in Recent Years |
|
|
Year |
Number (mln) |
|
1428 |
2.45 |
|
1429 |
2.41 |
|
1430 |
2.31 |
|
1431 |
2.79 |
|
1432 |
2.93 |
|
1433 |
3.16 |
|
1434 |
1.98 |
|
1435 |
2.09 |
|
1436 |
1.95 |
|
1437 |
1.86 |
|
1438 |
2.35 |
|
1439 |
2.37 |
|
1440 |
2.49 |
|
1441* |
0.01 |
|
1442* |
0.06 |
|
1443 |
0.93 |
|
1444 |
1.85 |
|
1445 |
1.8 |
In 1441 AH, Hajj was limited to around 10,000 domestic pilgrims due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number was increased to 60,000 in 1442 AH, restricted to residents within the Kingdom, as the pandemic continued and new virus variants emerged.
The Kingdom mobilized a wide range of services to facilitate this year’s Hajj for pilgrims, as shown in the table below:
|
Hajj services for 1446 AH |
|
|
ICT |
Utilizing digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence algorithms to manage crowds and organize pilgrim movement through more than 5,000 telecom towers. Over 9,000 fourth and fifth-generation base stations. More than 2,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables. Providing more than 10,000 free Wi-Fi access points for pilgrims. |
|
Water |
Daily operational capacity exceeds 1.2 million cubic meters of water, delivered through a 1,300-kilometer transmission network. |
|
Electricity |
Establishing new electric power substations, automating the network, and developing transmission and distribution grids, enabling remote management through the main control center. Installing gas-insulated transformers instead of oil-based ones to enhance operational efficiency and expand the scope of distribution network automation. Upgrading transmission and power systems, along with developing digital control and monitoring systems, to improve the reliability of the electrical infrastructure.
|
|
Transport |
Preparing 7,000 scheduled flights to serve pilgrims, allocating more than 3 million seats from 238 destinations and 62 air carriers, utilizing 12 terminals across 6 airports to receive pilgrims. Providing nearly 2 million seats for pilgrims on Haramain High-Speed Railway through more than 4,700 trips, with total capacity exceeding 2 million seats. This marks an increase of 400,000 seats. In addition, the Mashaer Train offers over 2,500 trips to facilitate movement between the holy sites. Preparing more than 25,000 buses and 9,000 taxis, and designating 18 routes for transporting pilgrims between cities and at entry points to Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites. Expanding road cooling technology services by 82% compared to last year, with a focus on areas surrounding the Namirah Mosque, contributing to a safer and more comfortable travel environment for pilgrims in the holy sites. The Roads Authority has completed maintenance works on more than 7,400 kilometers of roads leading to the holy sites and inspected 247 bridges to ensure infrastructure readiness. |
|
Healthcare |
A 60% increase in bed capacity compared to last year, with more than 50,000 medical and technical personnel ready to serve pilgrims. Establishment of a new emergency hospital in Mina with a capacity of 200 beds. Launch of three additional field hospitals with a combined capacity exceeding 1,200 beds, in partnership with the Ministries of National Guard, Defense, and Interior. This includes 71 emergency points, 900 ambulances, 11 medical evacuation aircraft, and more than 7,500 paramedics. |
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